This document is the 2nd in a three-part preparation series of what the GISP is and how it can be obtained. Please note that GISCI is not a teaching organization, and the materials provided, in and of themselves, are not intended or provided to teach GIS. They serve as a resource base for the candidate to use as a launching pad for his/her own learning pathway to approach the GISP Exam, using the terms and concepts illustrated.
If you have reached this point in reading, it is assumed that you have already read the second document in the series, the Pathways to GISP Certification(https://www.gisci.org/PreGISP/Pathways-to-GISP) and carefully reviewed the section “To Prepare for the Exam” from the GISCI web site. (https://www.gisci.org/Exam-Info/Exam-Candidate-Information)
Pathways describes the process, overall, leading to the GISP, and the section, above provides some detail on the best approach on determining your readiness to test.
We STRONGLY recommended that an individual should have taken two actions before starting through the Exam Study Guide.
- Reviewed and completed the Personal Assessment Survey found on the GeoTech Center web site. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RVVP8C8
- Taken the online Practice Exam https://www.gisci.org/Exam-Info/Practice-Examand have that first-take score and Practice Exam Performance Report in hand before moving to this phase of exam preparation.
The Practice Exam Performance Score &Report (taken without prior study) will show both strengths and weaknesses in a candidate’s GIS skills, provide a reasonable analysis of a Candidate’s GISP Knowledge Gap, and it will provide the best route to how to strengthen the weaker skills needing attention.
This document is provided to help an individual prepare for the exam portion of certification, and the candidate should start the learning pathway with the weaker skills identified in the preceding tasks.
It is important to understand that memorization of the answers either on the Practice Exam or with the exam questions provided here is NOT beneficial to moving forward with a GISP Certification, nor will it help on the exam. The GISP Exam is designed to measure knowledge in a skill area, and answer memorization is not a part of that learning process. GISCI firmly believes that a candidate cannot memorize or test their way to competence. Doing well on the exam means learning the materials, concepts, and understanding of GIS, particularly the Competency Sections upon which the exam is based. Other certifications may provide such a pathway, but the GISP does not! Investigation of the terms and concepts of each question, therefore, should be the focus of in-depth learning, not simply knowing the answer to the single question shown.
A word about GIS education is necessary at this point. While it is certainly possible to advance in knowledge on your own, the technical nature of the GIS field almost mandates that some kind of focused coursework in GIS is necessary to operate at the level of a GISP. At least 98% of current GISPs have at least a bachelor’s degree, and over 50% have completed at least some graduate work in GIS. The key to GIS competency at this level is not the degree, itself, but the number of GIS & associated courses taken along with post-education experience and training. This understanding is particularly true for those coming into GIS from another profession, without extensive training in GIS fundamentals Those new to the profession may well benefit from starting a GIS Certificate, a 4-5 course of study that can provide a suitable foundation from which to advance.
Each section with its example questions and resources is designed to provide the candidate with the resources necessary to learn the associated skills through their own efforts. Everyone is therefore encouraged to determine her/his own best method of learning, whether by individual study, group study, reading textbooks, or taking appropriate courses, as required.
Our recommended pathway requires that the individual:
- Determine their own GISP Knowledge level.
- Separate the identified weak knowledge areas from the stronger ones.
- Start an appropriate study program to strengthen each weak area before moving on to the stronger
Thank you for your interest in the GISP, and we hope you find this study guide to be helpful in your pathway.